[[Image:Ted Nasmith - The King of the Oathbreakers.jpg|thumb|right|The King of the Oathbreakers by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

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The '''Oathbreakers''', also known as the '''Dead Men of Dunharrow''', were the shades of [[Men]] of the [[White Mountains]].

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The [[Men of the Mountains]], whose King swore allegiance to [[Isildur]] and the [[Dúnedain]] in the last years of the [[Second Age]]. They had worshipped [[Sauron]] in the [[Dark Years]] before the foundation of [[Gondor]], and when the time came for them to fulfil their oath, and fight beside Isildur against their ancient master, they broke their word, and hid in the mountains. Isildur cursed them to survive without rest until their oath was fulfilled. So they haunted the [[Paths of the Dead]] throughout the [[Third Age]], waiting for Isildur's heir to appear and grant them the chance to fulfil their word at last.

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==History==

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They were originally the Men of the Mountains, whose King swore allegiance to [[Isildur]] and the [[Dúnedain]] in the last years of the [[Second Age]]. They had worshipped [[Sauron]] in the [[Dark Years]] before the foundation of [[Gondor]], and when the time came for them to fulfil their oath, and fight beside Isildur against their ancient master, they broke their word, and hid in the mountains. Isildur cursed them to survive without rest until their oath was fulfilled. Waiting for Isildur's heir to appear and grant them the chance to fulfil their word at last they haunted the caverns beneath the [[Dwimorberg]], and the valley of [[Harrowdale]], also known as the [[Paths of the Dead]], that lay in its shadow, though they were said to appear in the valley only in times of trouble or death.

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In the [[War of the Ring]], Isildur's Heir, [[Aragorn]], called on the oathbreakers to fulfil their oath at last. They followed him through the [[Gondor|Gondorian]] lands south of the [[White Mountains]], and at the port of [[Pelargir]] they drove away the allies of [[Sauron]] in fear. For their aid, Aragorn granted them their freedom, and they vanished at last from the world.

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==Etymology==

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Before breaking their oath, these men were known simply as "the Men of the Mountains". Afterward, they were referred to as "the Dead of Dunharrow", "the Shadow Host" and a variety of similar names, though their best known name, "the Army of the Dead", was only used in [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]].

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==Portrayal in Adaptations==

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'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'':'''

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:The Dead were originally envisioned as walking skeletons, but this had to be revised after ''Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl'' came out and did something similar with its undead hosts. So these dead men are glowing green ghosts. Contrary to the book, the Dead follow Aragorn all the way to [[Minas Tirith]], and cleaned up all Sauron's troops.

Contents

History

They were originally the Men of the Mountains, whose King swore allegiance to Isildur and the Dúnedain in the last years of the Second Age. They had worshipped Sauron in the Dark Years before the foundation of Gondor, and when the time came for them to fulfil their oath, and fight beside Isildur against their ancient master, they broke their word, and hid in the mountains. Isildur cursed them to survive without rest until their oath was fulfilled. Waiting for Isildur's heir to appear and grant them the chance to fulfil their word at last they haunted the caverns beneath the Dwimorberg, and the valley of Harrowdale, also known as the Paths of the Dead, that lay in its shadow, though they were said to appear in the valley only in times of trouble or death.

In the War of the Ring, Isildur's Heir, Aragorn, called on the oathbreakers to fulfil their oath at last. They followed him through the Gondorian lands south of the White Mountains, and at the port of Pelargir they drove away the allies of Sauron in fear. For their aid, Aragorn granted them their freedom, and they vanished at last from the world.

Etymology

Before breaking their oath, these men were known simply as "the Men of the Mountains". Afterward, they were referred to as "the Dead of Dunharrow", "the Shadow Host" and a variety of similar names, though their best known name, "the Army of the Dead", was only used in The Lord of the Rings (film series).

Portrayal in Adaptations

The Dead were originally envisioned as walking skeletons, but this had to be revised after Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl came out and did something similar with its undead hosts. So these dead men are glowing green ghosts. Contrary to the book, the Dead follow Aragorn all the way to Minas Tirith, and cleaned up all Sauron's troops.